Cycling is about "Safe exercise" and "Safe low-emission travel" The Health and Fitness objective is UNDERMINED if the means of exercise is UNSAFE! This blog STRONGLY OPPOSES certain reforms VicRoads is currently considering: “cyclists could be allowed to treat red lights as Give Way signs. And the same could also APPLY at pedestrian lights."
Also "PERMITTING cyclists, riding cautiously, to proceed past a stationary tram;" "allowing teenagers to ride on footpaths"(Herald Sun)PDowe

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Walking Pedestrians Deaths Fatalities Two Dead after Swanston St Wall Collapses on Footpath Right Place Wrong Time Herald Sun

The Pedestrians were in the right place, on the footpath, and had every reason to believe they would be safe from collapsing wallsas they ought to have beenPete DoweRoad Safety AdvocateMarch 29th 2013

UPDATE: A CORONIAL inquest into a fatal wall collapse that killed three people in Melbourne could be delayed for years.

A Victorian Coroners Court preliminary hearing on the collapse at the Grocon building site has been told the possibility of criminal or civil prosecution is still being explored by WorkSafe, the City of Melbourne, the Building Commission and Victoria Police.

State Coroner Ian Gray said he was aware that a prosecution could delay the coronial inquest for two years or more, which could frustrate the grieving families.

"I will want to know as soon as possible ... whether there will be the prosecution of anybody,'' he said.

A 15m-long section of the brick wall fell onto Swanston Street in the inner city on March 28, killing pedestrians Dr Marie-Faith Fiawoo, 33, of France, and local teenage siblings Alexander and Bridget Jones.

Counsel assisting the coroner, Sergeant Jen Brumby, said the inquest would explore the construction of the wall and the materials used, a wooden board that was fixed to the wall, and whether a permit for erecting that board had been sought.

Tributes at the site where siblings Alexander and Bridget Jones died along with Marie-Faith Fiawoo. Picture: Andrew Brownbill

The weather at the time of the collapse would also be examined.

The hearing heard that criminal charges could be laid over the fatal wall collapse.

Counsel representing five parties involved in the inquest into the deaths appeared before Mr Gray this morning for a directions hearing regarding the scope of the inquiry and updates on separate investigations into the tragedy.

Those interested parties are WorkSafe, construction company Grocon, City of Melbourne, the Building Commission and the family of one of the victims, French student Marie-Faith Fiawoo.

A barrister also appeared on behalf of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union to make an application for leave to appear at the inquest.

In his opening remarks, Mr Gary expressed his sympathies and condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the victims.

Alex was trying to shield his sister from the falling bricks and debris in Swanston St.

Separate investigations into the tragedy are being conducted by WorkSafe, Grocon and Victoria Police on behalf of the Coroner.

Today's hearing was told that investigations were still on going and there was a possibility criminal charges could be laid over the deaths.

Mr Gray informed the relevant investigative bodies he wanted regular updates on the status of their inquiries and to be informed as soon as possible about any potential criminal charges.

Sgt Jenny Brumby, assisting the coroner, told the hearing Acting Sgt Brooke Manley was in the process of compiling a brief of evidence including written witness statements and photographic and video evidence.

Sgt Brumby said the brief would include material relating to:

* A history of the site
* A history of the wall
* Details about a hoarding attached to the wall and regulations about its positioning
* A history of inspections carried out
* Details, including expert opinion, about the collapse

Neil Clelland, representing the CFMEU, made an application for the union to appear as an interested party at the inquest.

Mr Clelland submitted the union had a "real interest" to appear due to relevant issues surrounding construction site safety.

He told the court CFMEU members were on site prior to the wall collapse and some were first on the scene straight after the tragic collapse.